Beate Koch (l.) and Ute Henzgen (r.).
The idea is to build up a portfolio of innovative European firms that aspire to become category market leaders in the long term and for which the DACH market (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) offers relevant growth potential, according to RTL, adding that the investment team can call on “substantial cash and media resources” to achieve this. Further details were not given.
RTL Ventures will give the companies in its portfolio access to media brands such as RTL, VOX, n-tv, Stern and Gala across a wide range of media: TV, Addressable TV, digital and print. Its key asset is large audience reach in different target groups, which will help the companies build and scale up their brands during the growth phase as part of a marketing mix, according to RTL.
The investments are the responsibility of a separate team led by Beate Koch. Ute Henzgen and her Unit 3 team are responsible for media performance and media consulting for the investments. Urs Cete, Managing Partner of the Bertelsmann Investment Fund BDMI, will be part of the RTL Ventures investment committee and will work together with the investment team.
“By launching RTL Ventures, we have the chance to develop a new portfolio at an ideal time in the market. We will invest with a focus on yield, independence and partnership, and will always be there for our entrepreneurs. I’m delighted that we’ll have the benefit of the support provided by Urs Cete and his team at BDMI. We have big plans for the near future,” said Koch.
